Antidote for the Lingering Recession Blues: The Albatross Offers an Affordable Night Out in Cozy Pub Setting

July 14, 2009

BERKELEY, Calif., July 14 /PRNewswire/ — Psychologists tell us one of the best ways to beat the blues is to get off the couch and out into the community. As the recession lingers in the Bay Area, the Albatross Pub offers a welcoming atmosphere and an affordable way to replace recessionary gloom with light-hearted conversation and friendly competitions. From darts, pub quizzes and checkers, to board game favorites such as Scrabble, Yahtzee and Boggle, new guests at the Albatross bar soon find themselves making fast friends with regular patrons. Zagat has rated the pub, which celebrates its 45th anniversary this year, as one of the “20 Biggest Buzzes for the Buck” in the Bay Area.

“We’ve been a part of the Berkeley community fabric for 45 years because we offer a low-cost, laid-back place to connect,” said Albatross Pub co-owner Wendy Halambeck. “When they want to celebrate or when they need a lift, people know our pub is a great place to be.”

The Albatross bar offers a warm, comfortable, and affordable setting for any festivity. The pub can be rented during the day for large company festivities, political fundraisers, or wedding receptions. For more intimate gatherings, such as birthdays, retirement celebrations, bachelor or bachelorette parties, groups of tables can be reserved during the pub’s regular business hours.

The Sunday night Brainstormer Trivia Pub Quizzes offer the opportunity for patrons to win prizes (drink coupons or free t-shirts) for free. Four nights each month (the first and third Wednesdays and selected Saturdays), live jazz or bluegrass music is performed by local musicians for an affordable $3.00 cover charge at the bar. Dart players and novices love the opportunity to play in one of the Albatross’ six professional lanes.

The Albatross offers a wide collection of 50 bottled and 14 draft beers representing the best local and international breweries in the world, most under $5 a glass. Spirits, mixed drinks, wine and non-alcoholic selections round out the pub’s drink selection. Bargain priced snacks, including a bottomless bowl of popcorn for just $1.00 and goldfish crackers for just $1.50, and free dog biscuits for canine customers make it easy to find enough change in the couch cushions for an evening out at the Albatross.

About the Albatross:

The Albatross is located just 1.5 blocks north of University Avenue at 1822 San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley. Outside food is permitted and dogs may accompany their owners until 8 p.m. every night of the week. Co-owned by Wendy Halambeck and Linda Zsilavetz, the Albatross is open Sunday-Tuesday from 6 p.m.-2 a.m., and Wednesday-Saturday from 4:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. Visit www.albatrosspub.com or call 510-THE-BIRD for more information.